Children's Book review

Box of Tricks

By Katie Cleminson

Published by Jonathan Cape

Eva is given a big cardboard box on her birthday. She is a magician and for her first trick produces a large polar bear.

Next Eva makes hats and rabbits that float in the air alongside the bear. After this she conjures up some delicious party food and a band of animals playing musical instruments. Everyone dances their socks off!

When they are all exhausted Eva clicks her fingers and everyone vanishes – except for the large polar bear!

Every child loves an empty box and here, with the help of some magic, it contains a fantasy birthday party.

All the characters are drawn in black and white ink but they party against a backdrop of gloriously multicoloured ink blots; there is plenty to look at in this fun picture book.

Winner of the 2009 Best Emerging Illustrator at the Booktrust Early Years Awards.

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Reading age: 6+
Interest level: 3+